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February half-term 2027

A week of sunshine in the middle of winter

21 °C in Tenerife, 23 °C by the Red Sea, or real snow in Lapland: our ideas for half-term with the kids, all within a few hours of the UK.

Most schools in England · 13 Feb → 21 Feb

Photo: Mike Swigunski / Unsplash

Where to go

Where to go in February half-term with kids

Where UK families book for the February break, according to tour operators: the Canaries first, then Egypt and Morocco for guaranteed sun, or the snow of Lapland.

White houses and palm trees on the seafront in the Canary IslandsMost booked

Spain

21 °C≈ 4 h 15Time difference: 0 h

Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria: the warmest place in Europe in February, on UK time, with family resorts and Loro Parque.

Photo: Eugen Sacalî / Unsplash

Spain: practical info
Entry requirementsSpain is in the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days (all Schengen countries counted together). EES: on your first visit you may have your fingerprints and photo taken at the border, free of charge (children 11 and under: photo only). ETIAS (20 euros) is not in force yet: the EU will announce its start date, expected from autumn 2026. At the border you may be asked for a return ticket, proof of accommodation, travel insurance and enough money for your stay.
Spain: entry requirements (FCDO) · EU Entry/Exit System (GOV.UK) · ETIAS (EU official website)
Emergency numbers112 for ambulance, fire and police, including mountain rescue (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean two-pin plugs (types C and F), 230 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyEuro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted. Change money only at banks or official exchange offices: FCDO warns of counterfeit notes from street changers.Time differenceCanary Islands: same time as the UK all year round. Mainland Spain and the Balearics: 1 hour ahead all year.DrivingDrive on the right. A UK photocard licence is enough (no international driving permit). Children under 1.35 m must use an approved child seat in the back; any handheld phone use is banned, even when parked at the roadside.TippingService is not always added to the bill; rounding up or leaving a few euros is appreciated.
HealthA free UK GHIC (or a valid EHIC) gives access to medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance (repatriation, private clinics, changes to your trip). In some resorts hotels call private doctors who do not accept the GHIC. Supervise children closely at pools and on beaches, where currents can be strong. Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Spain: health (FCDO) · Spain (TravelHealthPro) · Apply for a free GHIC (NHS)
Where to stay with childrenTenerife south (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos), Gran Canaria south (Maspalomas), Lanzarote (Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen), Fuerteventura (Corralejo).

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Spain

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

Aerial view of a resort on the Red Sea

Egypt

23 °C≈ 5 hTime difference: +2 h

Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada all-inclusive, snorkelling straight from the beach, and a day trip to the pyramids for older children.

Photo: Bahaa Mourad / Unsplash

Egypt: practical info

FCDO advises against all or all but essential travel to some areas (North Sinai, the Libyan border, parts of the Western Desert); the Red Sea resorts are not among them. Regional tensions may disrupt flights. In Red Sea resorts, FCDO reports assaults including on minors: do not leave children unaccompanied. Egypt: warnings (FCDO)

Entry requirementsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival, with one blank page. A visa is normally needed: e-visa in advance (valid up to 3 months) or visa on arrival at airport kiosks for 30 US dollars, cash only (valid 30 days). At Cairo airport, a digital visa on arrival by card costs 36 US dollars. No visa for stays under 15 days in the Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts if you fly into Sharm el-Sheikh.
Egypt: entry requirements (FCDO) · Official Egypt e-visa portal · Egyptian Consulate General in London
Emergency numbersAmbulance 123 · Police 122 · Tourist police 126 · Fire 180 (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean two-pin plugs (types C and F), 220 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyEgyptian pound (EGP). You can bring in or take out up to 5,000 EGP; declare foreign currency over 10,000 US dollars on arrival. Keep US dollars in cash for the visa on arrival.Time differenceUsually 2 hours ahead of the UK. Exceptions, because Egypt changes its clocks on other dates: 3 hours ahead from 25 to 29 October 2026; 1 hour ahead from 28 March to 29 April 2027 and from 29 to 31 October 2027.DrivingDrive on the right. You need both your UK licence and the 1949 international driving permit, which you cannot buy outside the UK: get it before you go.TippingTipping (baksheesh) is expected for most small services; around 10 to 15% in restaurants.
HealthNo GHIC here: take travel insurance. Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you go (dengue is a risk). Some medicines are controlled: carry a letter from your GP. Hotel doctors have been known to overcharge.
Egypt: health (FCDO) · Egypt (TravelHealthPro)
Where to stay with childrenHurghada and El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sharm el-Sheikh (Naama Bay), Giza for a view of the pyramids.

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Egypt

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

The Koutoubia minaret in Marrakech with the snowy Atlas behind

Morocco

20 °C≈ 3 h 40Time difference: 0 h

Marrakech riads and souks in the winter sun, or the beaches of Agadir. In February 2027 it is Ramadan: Morocco puts its clocks back an hour, to UK time.

Photo: Paul Macallan / Unsplash

Morocco: practical info

FCDO does not advise against travel to any part of Morocco. It warns that terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks, including in tourist areas, so stay alert. Do not try to cross the closed border with Algeria; Western Sahara has separate advice. Many beaches have little or no lifeguard cover, and quad-bike accidents are frequent: always wear a helmet. Ask before photographing people, especially children. Morocco: travel advice (FCDO) · Morocco: safety and security (FCDO) · Morocco: regional risks (FCDO)

Entry requirementsEvery traveller, including children, needs their own passport with an expiry date at least 3 months after the day you arrive. It must not be damaged: Morocco has refused entry over damaged passports. No visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Make sure border staff stamp your passport on arrival, as travellers without an entry stamp have had trouble leaving.
Morocco: entry requirements (FCDO) · Moroccan consulates (official site)
Emergency numbersAmbulance and fire 150 · Police 190 · Gendarmerie 177 (source: FCDO). From the UK, FCDO can be reached 24 hours on 020 7008 5000.
Morocco: getting help (FCDO)
PlugsEuropean two-pin plugs (types C and E), 220 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyMoroccan dirham (MAD). It is a closed currency, so you can only get it in Morocco: keep your exchange receipts to change leftover dirhams back before you leave. Declare foreign currency worth 100,000 dirhams or more when you arrive or leave. Carry some cash for the souks; defacing banknotes is illegal.Time differenceSame time as the UK from late March to late October. In UK winter, Morocco is 1 hour ahead, except during Ramadan (expected around February to early March 2027), when Morocco puts its clocks back an hour and is on the same time as the UK. Morocco announces the exact dates each year.DrivingDrive on the right. You need your UK licence plus the 1968 international driving permit (Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 one), which you can only buy in the UK. Zero alcohol: any trace means a fine and possibly prison. Driving your own car: get a green card from your insurer. Hire firms often set a higher minimum age.TippingTipping is customary: around 10% in restaurants, and a few dirhams for porters, guides and hotel staff.
HealthThe UK GHIC does not cover Morocco: take travel insurance that covers medical treatment and repatriation. Public hospitals are limited; private clinics are better but must be paid. Check vaccines at least 8 weeks before you go (hepatitis A and tetanus are advised for most travellers). Keep children away from stray dogs and cats: after any bite or scratch, see a doctor straight away (rabies). Bring enough of any prescription medicine.
Morocco: health (FCDO) · Morocco (TravelHealthPro)
Where to stay with childrenMarrakech: a riad with a pool in the medina or the Palmeraie, or Hivernage for hotels with gardens. Agadir and Taghazout for the beach, Essaouira for a calmer seaside town.

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Morocco

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

Snow-covered forest in Finnish Lapland at dusk

Finland

−7 °C≈ 3 h 30Time difference: +2 h

Husky rides, snowmobiles and a good chance of the northern lights around Rovaniemi. Pack proper thermal layers for the kids.

Photo: Joakim Honkasalo / Unsplash

Finland: practical info
Entry requirementsFinland is in the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days (all Schengen countries counted together). EES: on your first visit you may have your fingerprints and photo taken at the border, free of charge (children 11 and under: photo only). ETIAS (20 euros) is not in force yet: the EU will announce its start date, expected from autumn 2026. Border officers may ask for proof of accommodation, a return ticket and enough money for your stay.
Finland: entry requirements (FCDO) · EU Entry/Exit System (GOV.UK) · ETIAS (EU official website)
Emergency numbers112 for ambulance, fire and police (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean two-pin plugs (types C and F), 230 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyEuro (EUR). Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere.Time difference2 hours ahead of the UK all year round.DrivingDrive on the right with your UK licence. Hire companies may ask for a year of driving experience, a minimum age or an international driving permit: check when you book.TippingNot expected: service is included. Rounding up is fine.
HealthA free UK GHIC (or a valid EHIC) gives access to medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance (repatriation, private clinics, changes to your trip). Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Finland: health (FCDO) · Finland (TravelHealthPro) · Apply for a free GHIC (NHS)
Where to stay with childrenRovaniemi (near Santa Claus Village or the centre), Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä: log cabins with a sauna are a classic for families.

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Finland

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

Golden cliffs and a sandy beach in the Algarve

Portugal

19 °C≈ 3 h 50Time difference: 0 h

Madeira's mild winter, or the Algarve for walks on empty beaches: no time difference and short flights.

Photo: Alice Kotlyarenko / Unsplash

Portugal: practical info

FCDO: high risk of wildfires from April to October, anywhere in Portugal. The authorities may evacuate areas and close roads: follow their advice and call 112 if you see a fire. Starting a fire, even by accident, is illegal. In the Algarve, keep away from cliff edges and bases where signs warn of falling rocks. Portugal: warnings (FCDO) · Portugal: safety and security (FCDO)

Entry requirementsPortugal is in the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days (all Schengen countries counted together). EES: on your first visit you may have your fingerprints and photo taken at the border, free of charge (children 11 and under: photo only). ETIAS (20 euros) is not in force yet: the EU will announce its start date, expected from autumn 2026. Under-18s travelling alone or with an adult who is not their parent or guardian must carry a notarised, legalised letter of authorisation, or entry may be refused.
Portugal: entry requirements (FCDO) · EU Entry/Exit System (GOV.UK) · ETIAS (EU official website)
Emergency numbers112 for ambulance, fire and police. For non-urgent medical advice: mainland 808 24 24 24 (press 9 for English), Madeira and Porto Santo 800 24 24 20, the Azores 808 24 60 24 (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean two-pin plugs (types C and F), 230 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyEuro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted, though some small cafés and shops prefer cash.Time differenceMainland Portugal and Madeira: same time as the UK all year round. The Azores: 1 hour behind.DrivingDrive on the right. A UK photocard licence is enough; with an old paper licence you may also need an international driving permit. Carrying ID is compulsory when driving. Make sure you understand how motorway tolls are paid; if you think you used a toll road without paying, check the official Toll Payment Portal.TippingNot compulsory; rounding up or leaving around 5 to 10% in restaurants is appreciated.
HealthA free UK GHIC (or a valid EHIC) gives access to medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance (repatriation, private clinics, changes to your trip). UK prescriptions are not recognised: bring enough medicine in its original packaging. People drown every year in the sea and in pools: keep small children within arm's reach, especially at villas with private pools, and follow beach flags (red: no swimming; yellow: paddling only). Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Portugal: health (FCDO) · Portugal (TravelHealthPro) · Madeira (TravelHealthPro) · Apply for a free GHIC (NHS)
Where to stay with childrenAlgarve (Albufeira, Vilamoura, Lagos, Carvoeiro, Tavira), Lisbon and the Cascais coast, Madeira (Funchal).

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Portugal

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

The Burj Al Arab seen from the beach in Dubai

UAE

26 °C≈ 7 hTime difference: +4 h

Dubai at its best season: beaches, waterparks and the aquarium. Read the alert in the practical panel before you book.

Photo: Darcey Beau / Unsplash

UAE: practical info

FCDO (July 2026): the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable after strikes across the region since 8 July. Expect possible flight cancellations and airspace closures at short notice, and sign up to FCDO email alerts. UAE: warnings (FCDO)

Entry requirementsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival, for every traveller including children. A visitor visa is issued free on arrival (no need to apply in advance), valid for up to 90 days in any 180 days. Some UK medicines are controlled: you must get approval from the UAE Ministry of Health before travelling.
UAE: entry requirements (FCDO)
Emergency numbersPolice 999 · Ambulance 998 · Fire 997 (source: FCDO).
PlugsType G, the same three-pin plug as in the UK: no adapter needed.MoneyUAE dirham (AED). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.Time difference4 hours ahead of the UK in winter, 3 hours in summer (no daylight saving in the UAE).DrivingDrive on the right. A UK photocard licence is accepted; with an old paper licence you may also need an international driving permit.TippingA service charge is sometimes included; around 10% is appreciated when it is not.
HealthNo GHIC here: travel insurance is essential. Hospitals are of a good standard but may refuse treatment without insurance or a means to pay, and you may be stopped from leaving the UAE with an unpaid medical bill.
UAE: health (FCDO) · UAE (TravelHealthPro)
Where to stay with childrenDubai (Marina and JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown), Abu Dhabi (Yas Island, Saadiyat).

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for UAE

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

Average February daytime highs, approximate flight times from London (direct where available; Lapland: Rovaniemi), time difference with the UK during half-term. Each practical panel is closed by default.

Good to know

February half-term dates

Most councils in England and Scotland break up for the same week in February; academies and independent schools can choose their own dates.

AreaFirst day offLast day off
Most schools in EnglandHalf-term Monday 15 to Friday 19 February.Saturday, 13 February 2027Sunday, 21 February 2027
Scotland (Edinburgh)Mid-term break Monday 15 to Friday 19 February.Saturday, 13 February 2027Sunday, 21 February 2027

Source: Birmingham City Council: school term dates 2026 to 2027, checked on 5 October 2026. Dates for most state schools; academies and independent schools can set their own. Check with your council. England: Birmingham City Council (same dates in Kent and Camden; same October, Christmas, February and May dates in Leeds and Manchester, which split Easter). Scotland: City of Edinburgh Council. Find your council's dates: https://www.gov.uk/school-term-holiday-dates

Good to know

Before you go

Everything to sort out before you travel, in one place. Rules for each country are in the practical info for that destination.

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Passports and children
Passport rules, permission letters, new EU checks
Passport rules for EuropeFor Spain, Portugal, Greece, Finland, Czechia, Poland and the rest of the Schengen area, each passport (children's included) must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days. Turkey asks for at least 150 days' validity on arrival; Egypt and the UAE ask for 6 months. For the United States, every traveller, babies included, needs an approved ESTA before boarding: apply only on the official website or app.
Travelling to the EU and Schengen area · Renew or apply for a passport · ESTA (official US website)
Taking your child abroadYou need the permission of everyone with parental responsibility. A letter from the other parent, with their contact details and the trip details, is usually enough. Take the birth certificate, and a marriage or divorce certificate if your surname is different from your child's.
Permission to take a child abroad
New EU border checksSince October 2025 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records fingerprints and a photo at the border, free of charge: allow extra time. ETIAS, a 20 euro travel authorisation, is expected from autumn 2026 but has not started: any website selling it today is a scam.
EU Entry/Exit System

Official links checked on 5 Oct 2026

Safety and health
Travel advice, GHIC, insurance, vaccines
FCDO travel adviceEntry rules, safety and health for every country. Read it the week you leave and sign up for email alerts for your destination.
Foreign travel advice
GHIC for EuropeFree card for necessary state healthcare in the EU, on the same basis as residents (free or at local rates). Every member of the family needs their own card. Apply only on the NHS website: unofficial sites may charge a fee.
Apply for a free GHIC
Travel insuranceBuy it as soon as you book, covering existing medical conditions. Without it, a broken leg in Spain can cost more than 25,000 pounds. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate your policy.
Foreign travel insurance
VaccinesCheck recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave, especially for Egypt.
TravelHealthPro: advice by country · Travel vaccinations (NHS)

Official links checked on 5 Oct 2026

Getting there and back
Liquids, driving, customs, pets
Liquids in hand luggageRules depend on the airport: at most, containers of 100ml maximum in one transparent bag of about 1 litre; some UK airports now allow up to 2 litres. Baby milk and baby food are allowed. Check every airport on your trip, including the return.
Hand luggage restrictions
Driving abroadWith a UK photocard licence, no international driving permit is needed in the EU. Egypt requires the 1949 permit (5.50 pounds at PayPoint shops), which you cannot get once abroad.
Driving abroad · International driving permit
Customs on the way homeArriving in Great Britain, you can bring other goods worth up to 390 pounds per person tax-free, plus separate limits for alcohol and tobacco. Above that, declare them.
Bringing goods into the UK
Travelling with your petFor the EU: microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and an animal health certificate from your vet for each trip.
Taking your pet abroad

Official links checked on 5 Oct 2026

Has something changed? Let us know.

Once you are there

Stay connected abroad, the whole family

Maps, messages home, photos: one eSIM each, installed before you leave, which starts when you land. Today's prices for each destination.

Spain10 GB · 15 days: €9.60from €3.20Egypt10 GB · 15 days: €17.20from €4.70Morocco10 GB · 15 days: €20.00from €4.30Finland10 GB · 15 days: €8.30from €2.10Portugal10 GB · 15 days: €9.80from €3.20UAE10 GB · 15 days: €31.80from €4.60

Starting price of one eSIM for one person, before the group discount. Prices update live from our catalogue.

Per person · 8 days

4 to 6 GB

Maps, messages and social media, everyday use. Our advice: 10 GB for 15 days, to cover the 8 days without counting.

Work it out for our group
Family of 4 · 10 GB · 15 days4 eSIMs−10% discountTotal
Spain€38.40−€3.84€34.56
Egypt€68.80−€6.88€61.92
Morocco€80.00−€8.00€72.00
Finland€33.20−€3.32€29.88

Europe isn't free any more on most UK plans Since Brexit, free roaming in the EU is no longer guaranteed. Three charges £2 or £2.75 a day in Europe on plans without roaming built in, EE sells roaming packages from £2.72 a day, and Vodafone only includes Europe on some plans. O2 still includes its Europe Zone up to 25GB: check your plan before you buy. What GOV.UK says about roaming in the EU

Install before you leave

At home, on wifi, the evening before you go. The eSIM only starts when you arrive.

Child mode

Your child sees their data and asks you for more, without buying anything themselves.

−10% from 3 eSIMs

One eSIM per person, one payment, the group price shown before you pay.

Travel together, connected.

One eSIM per person, one purchase, 10% off from 3 eSIMs.

Choose my destination

Frequently asked questions

When is February half-term 2027?

For most state schools in England, half-term runs from Monday 15 to Friday 19 February, so the break starts on Saturday, 13 February 2027. Scotland's mid-term break is the same week in Edinburgh. Check your council's dates: academies and independent schools can differ.

Where is warm in February half-term?

The Canaries are the warmest place in Europe (around 21 °C, no time difference, about 4 hours' flight). For hotter sun, Egypt's Red Sea resorts reach 23 °C with a 2-hour time difference. Morocco is 20 °C in Marrakech and Agadir, only 3 hours 40 from London.

Do the kids need anything new to travel to Spain or Portugal?

Each passport, children's included, must be under 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for at least 3 months after you leave the EU. At the border, the EU's Entry/Exit System may take fingerprints and a photo on your first visit (children under 12: photo only).

Will my phone work in the Canaries or Lapland?

It depends on your network. Since Brexit, free EU roaming is no longer guaranteed: several UK networks now charge a daily fee in Europe, and the Canaries count as Spain. Check your plan; an eSIM for Spain costs €9.60 for 10GB over 15 days.

How much data do we need for a week in Tenerife?

For normal use (maps, messages, social media), allow 4 to 6GB per person over 8 days. We suggest 10GB valid for 15 days: for four eSIMs, that comes to €34.56 in total, group discount included.

Can we install the eSIM before we leave?

Yes, and we recommend it: install it at home on wifi the day before you fly. It only starts when you land and your phone picks up a local network.

The next school holidays

October half-term10 Oct → 2 Nov 2026Christmas holidays19 Dec → 6 Jan 2027Easter holidays26 Mar → 20 Apr 2027May half-term1 May → 7 Jun 2027Summer holidays30 Jun → 2 Sept 2027

Photos: Bahaa Mourad, Joakim Honkasalo, Jeffrey Eisen, Dan, Mariya Oliynyk / Unsplash